Our Team

Our specially trained math instructors will teach your child how to understand math in an individual setting; our unique approach enables us to explain concepts really well and lend a helping hand to every student. Our tutors foster a caring, encouraging environment that helps kids thrive and learn! Read below to learn more about our talented team:

Trisha Cato, Center Manager

Hello, please call me Cato! I taught high school math in private schools in San Francisco and Seattle for six years. I actually struggled with math during my high school years and therefore didn’t get excited about math until I started college. I found that my struggles during high school made me a better teacher since I was able to recall the pitfalls I experienced and helped navigate my students through the same.  I have been with the center since November of 2020, and I am enjoying getting to know our students and our instructors. When not in the center, we foster kittens for the Jax Humane Society, take drives over the weekend to small towns, spend hours on end at Neptune Beach during the summer, cook and read. I look forward to getting to know you and your family!

 Exel Rivera, Area Manager

 Exel joined the Mathnasium team in early 2018. He brings with himself 18 years of experience   in sales and customer service. Most recently, he held a District Manager position for a Fortune   500 company. In this role, he spent 4 years leading teams to deliver world class service for   one the of top retailers in the world. Exel is a firm believer that we can truly change lives   through math. He is honored  to be part of a team that supports our families and is passionate   about helping our students master skills needed to be successful in life. 

Jodi Joostberns, Director of Education

Jodi has a Bachelor's degree in Biology and Math from Hope College. She graduated with her secondary teaching certificate. She also has a Master’s degree in Math Education and a Specialist’s degree in Curriculum and Teacher Leadership from Piedmont College. Jodi has been teaching for twenty years, and she has taught all levels from eigth grade math to IB math studies. Jodi is also a certified gifted instructor. Jodi loves to teach and tutor because she loves to see the sense of great achievement when a student grasps a difficult math concept! She also believes every student can succeed and excel with proper tools and support.

Lauren Love, Director of Training

Lauren graduated from the University of Central Florida with an Interdisciplinary Studies degree focused on Math Education and Psychology. She has mastered math skills in the areas of College Algebra, Calculus I through Calculus III, Differential Equations, and Statistics I and II. Lauren developed a passion for math education during her first two years of high school, and it continued throughout her college years. She believes that math is meant to be challenging and enjoyable, not frustrating and scary. Since starting at Mathnasium in 2011, Lauren has enjoyed the continued success of her students and inspiring them to love math. 

Ed Farner, Chief Operating Officer

Ed has been a multi-unit leader for over fifteen years, and has had the pleasure of working with two Fortune 500 companies during his leadership career. His focus is to develop the best team to deliver the most incredible and memorable customer experience. “Love what you do, be the best at it, and success will follow.” Ed has always had a passion for coaching and teaching others. He has coached his son's and daughter’s little league baseball and softball teams, and has volunteered his time as a coach for the Catholic Youth League basketball, soccer, and football teams. His passion to lead and help others has transitioned Ed from District Manager to Chief Operating Officer. Ed is honored to lead all aspects of operations in order to change lives through math.

Mo Khalil, Executive Director

Mo graduated from Marist College with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration in 2000. While at Marist, Mo was able to use his math talent to master advanced Calculus, Statistics and Probability courses. Mo has found his dream career with Mathnasium doing what he loves the most: teaching and math. Mo opened his first center in 2011, and his team operates multiple centers in various states. Mo and his team are the #1 Mathnasium Franchise team in the United States since 2014. Mo and his wife, Julie, are raising two young “mathletes.” Mo is proud to change children's attitudes towards math and develop “Number Sense.”